Guus Hiddink defends John Terry treatment by Blues decision makers
Chelsea interim boss Guus Hiddink has denied the expected departure of club captain John Terry has been treated badly.
Hiddink reckons Terry deserves a public farewell if he is leaving this summer, but Chelsea’s hierarchy are still to declare whether the defender will stay or go after 703 appearances since his debut in October 1998.
Terry is out of contract at the end of this season and in January said he would not be extending his stay.
Chelsea insisted an offer may be forthcoming, but there has been no news on his future ahead of Wednesday night’s match at Liverpool and the final game of the season on Sunday, at home to Premier League champions Leicester.
“There’s time,” Hiddink said.
“People who are making the decisions want to take their time. That’s up to them.
“That doesn’t mean there’s dramatic, bad treatment so far, but everyone has his own approach to deal with this matter.”
Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole were among the distinguished players who departed Stamford Bridge without a goodbye.
And some supporters are planning to protest at the likely departure of ‘Captain, Leader, Legend’ Terry at the final two games of a disappointing season.
“Whatever will happen, whether he stays, whether he goes - in the last option, he deserves a huge goodbye,” Hiddink added.
“(But) it’s never goodbye with those players, because I think in the near future, whatever happens, those players, after a period of going away and calming down, they can have a big impact in clubs.
“They are special players and they always will be.”